A first group of around 470 Congolese refugees has begun returning voluntarily from Burundi to eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, marking the launch of a broader repatriation programme coordinated by the United Nations refugee agency.
The movement, confirmed Thursday by the UNHCR, saw refugees depart from the Busuma site in Burundi’s Ruyigi province before crossing the Kavimvira border post into South Kivu province, where they were received in the town of Uvira.
The return is part of a voluntary programme agreed between the governments of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with logistical and operational support from UNHCR. The agency said the initiative aims to ensure “safe, dignified and voluntary” returns for displaced populations affected by years of insecurity in eastern Congo.
Nearly 20,000 Congolese refugees have already registered for the programme, according to UNHCR, which said returnees will receive financial assistance and reintegration support to help them restart their lives in areas still recovering from conflict and displacement.
As of March 2026, Burundi hosted about 109,000 Congolese refugees, including roughly 67,000 in the Busuma settlement alone. The scale of displacement reflects ongoing instability in eastern Congo, where armed groups continue to operate across parts of South Kivu, North Kivu and Ituri provinces.
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The current wave of displacement is largely linked to intensified fighting that escalated in 2025 between Congolese government forces and several armed groups, including factions of the M23 movement. The violence has forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee across borders into neighbouring countries such as Burundi, Uganda and Rwanda.
The voluntary return programme is being implemented cautiously, with UNHCR emphasising that returns depend on individual choice and prevailing security conditions. Humanitarian officials have warned that while some areas of eastern DRC have seen relative calm, insecurity remains widespread and unpredictable.
Returnees arriving in Uvira were transported onward to their areas of origin or temporary reception sites, where they are expected to receive reintegration assistance. Support packages typically include cash grants, basic household items and access to social services, although aid capacity remains limited due to funding constraints faced by humanitarian agencies.
UNHCR said it is working closely with both governments to monitor conditions and ensure that return movements do not expose refugees to renewed risks. The agency also stressed that repatriation must remain voluntary and informed, in line with international protection standards.
For Burundi, which has hosted tens of thousands of Congolese refugees for years, the return programme could help ease pressure on already stretched resources. However, authorities continue to manage a large refugee population, many of whom are reluctant to return due to persistent insecurity in their home regions.
Humanitarian experts say the success of the programme will depend heavily on conditions in eastern Congo, including security guarantees, access to land and basic services, and the ability of local authorities to support returning populations.
The eastern provinces of the DRC remain among the most volatile areas in Africa, despite repeated peace initiatives and the presence of regional and international mediation efforts. Infrastructure damage, weak governance and limited state presence continue to complicate stabilisation efforts.
UNHCR has described the current repatriation as a “first step” in what could become a larger movement of returns if conditions improve. However, it cautioned that displacement patterns in the region have historically been cyclical, with many families forced to flee multiple times due to recurring violence.
For now, the focus remains on ensuring that those who choose to return can do so safely and with adequate support. Aid agencies say sustained international funding and political commitment will be essential to prevent renewed displacement and support long-term recovery in affected communities.
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As buses crossed back into Congolese territory this week, the operation symbolised both cautious hope and the fragility of stability in a region still grappling with the consequences of prolonged conflict.
